Binding-post.



-G. B. THOMAS.

BINDING POST.

APPLICATION FlLED FEB. 2, |916.

Patented im 27, 1916.

UNITED STATES oFFrCE.'

GEORGE B. TOMAS, OF BIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO THE PERKINS ELECTRIC SWITCH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT,

A CORPORATION or CONNECTICUT.

BINDING-POST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27,1916.

- Application led February 2, 1916. Serial No. 75,869.

To all wharf# ct may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE B. THoM A s, a citizen of the United States of America, and residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State'of Connecticut, have invented a certain new and Improved Binding-Post, of which the following is a speciication.

My invention relates toa binding post and particularly to a combined binding post and switch terminal for rotary-snap switches, the object of my invention being to provide a device of this character having certain features of improved construction hereinafter referred to or shown in the accompanying drawing in whichi Figure 1 is a plan of a rotary snap switch` to which binding posts embodying my invention are applied; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the latter drawnto a larger scale and partially broken awa-y; Fig. 3 is a vertical section through portion of the switch base showing a binding post mounted thereon; Fig. 4 is a detached perspective of onev of the binding posts; and Fig. 5 is a detached perspective of the contact wings employed in use on a post having switch terminals at dierent levels.

In the embodiment 'of my invention here shown l have illustrated my improved binding post in connection with a snap switch of well-known type comprising an insulating base 10 having mounted thereon a snap switch mechanism not shown in detail but serving to operate the switchblades 11 and 12 and normally incased by a cover, not shown, which is seated on the ledge 13 at the upper margin of the base 10. i The switch blades 11 and 12 are of that particular type, lying at different levels, adapted to make contact with the switch terminals in various vpredetermined relations to aord various connections to branch circuits for lighting systems or heater systems.

Coperating with the switch blades are four combined binding posts and switch terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17. Each of these terminals comprises a standard 18, the vertical margins of which are offset outwardly to afford a channel 19 adapted to overlie and register with a wire hole 20 piercing the base 10 and through which the bared end of the wire is introduced into the channel 19 and secured beneath the binding screw 21 taking into a tapped perforation 22 in the 55 standard. Each standard is secured to the base by screws 23, 24, which pierce the base and take into tapped holes in the feet 25, 26, which are offset inward from the bases of the opposite margins of the standard. Each standard is also provided at its opposite vertical margins with bays 27 and 28 plerced to receive rivets 29 and 30 respectively. Mounted on the inner face of the standard are the contact wings which form the switch terminals for each binding post.

Each terminal comprises a pair of wings, A

that shown in detail in Fig. 4being particularly intended for a low level terminal to coperate with the switch blade 11. These contact wings 31 and 32 are formed from spring sheet metal, preferably copper or bronze. Each wing comprises a yoke-shaped `nflernber with o'set bass 33, 34, 35 and 36 which straddle the channel 19 of the upright and are perforated at 37 and 38 in register with the perforations in the bays 27 and 28 of the upright. The length of the 'bases 35 and 36 for the contact wing 32 are shorter than the bases 33, 34 for the contact wing 31, so that the wings are spaced slightly apart vertically to ador-d opportunity for the swing 11 to enter between the same. Upwardly and downwardly curved ears 39 and 40 respectively may be formed on these wings to afford guides for the switch blade.` The terminal just described is adapted to coperate, as stated, with the lower contact blade 11. It is necessary only to reverse the position of the contact wings upon the standard to provide a termina-l such as shown in Fig. 3 to coperate with the upper blade 412 of the switch.

Where it is desired to provide a post having switch terminals to coperate with either the upper vor the lower switch blades, the construction shown on the right hand side or Fig. 2, and in Fig. 5, is employed. The standard is in all respects identical with that employed for either-.the high 0r low terminal, but the 4contact wings 41 and 42 are here formed in U-shape, one contact viz., 42, hav-A ing its wings spaced farther apart than the other so as to form the upper member -of the upper terminal and the lower member of the lower terminal, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The bases of both contacts have their bows apertured to straddle the channel 194 I of the standard and are perforated in register, not only with each other, but also with -the perforations in the bays 27 and 28 of the standard to receive the securing rivets 29 and 30.

The construction shown has theY articular merit that the standards are unifrm for all types of terminals, while the terminals for the upper and lower switch blades may be made identical so that they are reversible from one position to the other. The spring metal contacts may be made of copper without the expense attendant upon constructing the entire post of such metal and at the same time permits the post to be made of heavy sheet -brass thus insuring a rigidity and strength in the post as a whole, while securing flexibility and consequent good contact with the switch -blades through the spring metal terminals. It is obvious that the construction can be used in switches in which the terminals are either at one level or in a switch having terminals at two or more levels as Well as in a switch having terminals at more than one level on a single binding post. Whatever the position of the termi-k nals, however, the supporting standard is the same in any case and only the shape of the terminals is altered to meet the requirements of the particular switch to which the terminals are applied.

Various modifications and details of construction will readily occur to those skilled in the art without departing from what l claim as my invention. K

I- claim as my invention 1. A combined binding post and switch terminal comprising a sheet metal standard centrally odset to adord a wire-receiving channel, a binding screw tapped into said channeled portion of the standard to secure a wire therein, foot portions extending at .right angles to the standard to receive se curing screws therefor, perforated marginal bays on the standard and a spring sheet metal switch terminal riveted to' said bays, substantially Vas described.

2. A combined binding post and switch terminal comprising a sheet metal standard centrally offset to afiord a. wire-receivin channel, a binding screw tapped into sai channeled portion of the standard to secure a wire therein, foot portions extending at right angles to the standard to receive securing screws therefor, perforated marginal bays on the standard, and a sprin sheet metal switch terminalstraddling sai channel and having bases riveted to substantially as described.

'.3 said says, c

income 3. A combined binding post and switch terminal comprising a sheet metal standard centrally oiiset to afford a wire-receiving channel, a binding screw tapped into said channeled portion of the standard to secure a wire therein, foot portions extending at right angles to the standard to receive securing screws therefor, perforated marginal lng screws therefor, perforated marginal bays onthe standard, and a switch terminal comprislng a pair of spring metal Contact s Wings straddling said channel and having bases of unequal length riveted to said bays to space said Wings slightly apart.

5. A combined binding post and switch terminal comprising a sheet metal standard centrally offset to afford a wire-receiving, channel, a binding screw tapped into said channeled portion of the standard to-secure a wire therein, foot portions extending at right angles to the standard to receive securing screws therefor, perforated marginal bays on the standard and a plurality of spring sheet metal switch terminals lyino' at did'erent levels but secured to said standitrd by a common rivet.

6. A combined binding post and switch terminal comprising a sheet metal standard centrally offset to aiford a wire-receiving channel, a binding screw tap ed into said channeled portion of the stan ard to secure a wire therein, foot portions extending at ,right angles to the standard to receive securing screws therefor, perforated marginal bays on the standard, yand a plurality of switch terminals lying at different levels and comprising a pair of nested U-shaped spring sheet metal contacts the adjacent wings of which form terminals at different levels.

in testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

G: W. Gponnmen, l la. lrcmnr. 

